Control-variable is the human-made experimental construct of a factor or condition that a researcher intentionally holds constant across all experimental conditions, preventing it from confounding the measured effect of the primary independent variable. Its parameters are: (1) identifiability — the factor must be recognizable as a potential confounder before the experiment begins; (2) constancy — it is maintained at the same level for every condition; (3) relevance — holding it constant must plausibly isolate the independent variable's effect. Its persistence mechanism is experimental design protocols that standardize conditions across treatments. [formal: variabilis-tenax | substrate: behavior | horizon: a moment | explicit: yes | epoch: 0.26]
Accepted ontology entry
control-variable
Control-variable is the human-made experimental construct of a factor or condition that a researcher intentionally holds constant across all experimental conditions, preventing it from confounding the measured effect of the primary indepen…
Definition
Why it is in scope
A human-made experimental construct referring to any factor or condition that researchers intentionally hold constant across all experimental conditions to prevent it from confounding the measured effect of the primary independent variable.
Names and aliases
- control-variableen · CANONICAL
Relations from this entry
- cmrvpfry601wq2ceichuy36vpDEPENDS_ON →
The concept of holding a variable constant to isolate effects exists within and derives from the practice of experimental design. Removal test: remove experimental design — the practice of systematically identifying, holding constant, and manipulating factors ceases to operate; control-variable as a concept has no standalone working. The sense is experimental methodology, not general constancy.
- cmrvsdf2u027u2ceisomaun7qINSTANCE_OF →
A control variable IS a specific kind of variable: it is a variable held constant during an experiment to isolate the effect of the independent variable. A competent speaker calls a control variable 'a type of variable.' Files against the nearest kind — variable is the established category.
Relations to this entry
No accepted relations in this direction.
Record identity
- Created
- Jul 22, 2026, 3:48 PM UTC
- Content hash
- 1938db00ee6a2db51288b990484629a59cbfbca54e589f42dd733ccf659863f4